3stationsA TRIBUTE TO MANFRED BISCHOFF – 43 Students Pay Homage
43 of his former students from 22 countries who will each show a piece at the exhibition, dedicated to Manfred’s golden “Fingerpuppets” by creating their own little version of Manfred, the real golden boy.

#20Opening 24.02.2016 18:00

« About the exhibition : A former student, Isabel Dammermann, took it upon herself to make a special event for the teacher Manfred Bischoff who inspired so many. At the same time, she has managed to create a very interesting exhibition that is on display during the Munich Jewellery week 2016. »

Jewellery artists from 22 countries all over the world come together in a memorial exhibition for Manfred Bischoff who passed away a year ago. At some point or other, they have all been taught by Manfred at Alchimia, contemporary jewellery school in Florence, and have each submitted one piece to the exhibition that honours a great teacher.German born Manfred Bischoff lived in Tuscany in a house that was in itself a piece of exquisite art. Its magical interior made a natural and perfect framework for his work that has been called by many names: sensual, poetic, lyrical, great, intimate, strong, beautiful, satirical and always surprising. He worked in 22K gold, as pure as he could manage and still maintain a rigidity in the metal that allowed him to execute his ideas in delicate and well crafted pieces, often accompanied with subtle pink coral and drawings.His dedication to the language of jewellery and his visions were most likely one of the reasons that the Alchimia school managed to become known and respected internationally in a relatively short time span.

The teacher« As a student at Alchimia, you never really met Manfred until the third year. He was a giant figure who arrived to the narrow street in Florence on Tuesdays. He spent time with the older students, watched the world from behind his sunglasses when he leaned onto the wall at coffee breaks, and then he vanished again.It was not until you were there yourself – in your final year – that you met the myth and began to appreciate his capacity to engage in your work and to show you how you might develop it. He was a surprisingly selfless teacher, and during critiques in the small classroom he managed to create a space for you and him to engage in a dialogue about your work that was stripped of second agendas and based solely on how he could help you to become a better artist.It is only later, you come to understand how exceptionally truthful and helpful he tried to be in order to make you grow as a person and as an artist. »

“This piece (‘Forgotten’ pendant) is about child soldiers and is called “Forgotten”. A subject that sadly still exists in 3rd world countries that are in war whether in Africa, the Middle East or Asia. The average child soldier is under the age of 18 and is forced and manipulated in doing and committing horrors that they are not aware off due to the use of drugs or brainwashing. The child is just an instrument, just a number; just a slave to the gun…the gun is the symbol of power.” (Malaika Najem)

« In this series I try to reflect the omnipresent « war » of today’s women with the world surrounding them. On one hand I criticize that nowadays society expects from women unrealistic results in many aspects. On the other hand I also aim criticism at women, because they themselves put up with these unrealistic criteria and strive to comply with them. I choose well known symbols as a gun, flower heart… and I am using this cliché symbols on the purpose. I work with it; I build on it a new composition with readable meanings. Dark beats applied to perforated spots on the pieces of jewellery are a symbolic reminder of a gunshot – a bullet – an attack. They are made out of different materials – hematite, marble, glass, steel and pearl-shell. »

16/03/2011

“This piece (‘Forgotten’ pendant) is about child soldiers and is called “Forgotten”. A subject that sadly still exists in 3rd world countries that are in war whether in Africa, the Middle East or Asia. The average child soldier is under the age of 18 and is forced and manipulated in doing and committing horrors that they are not aware off due to the use of drugs or brainwashing. The child is just an instrument, just a number; just a slave to the gun…the gun is the symbol of power.” (Malaika Najem)

« What was your starting point or your inspiration for doing this project?

I have been working on the subject of child soldiers for many years in my painting and know in my jewelry. Because this is a subject that is really close to my hearth.

Do you have a personal (or other) connection to the exhibition’s theme?

Yes I am half Lebanese half French but grew up in West Africa. This making me open my eyes living with corruption and hearing about horrors that happen to children. Not in particularly my country but the ones around or in other parts of the world.

What were the main reasons for choosing the materials, shapes or technique in your work?

This piece is made of shibuichi because of the unpredictable color. The outline is of a child soldier made with the process of drilling holes. The outline is a strong image; and the holes are letting the light in, to show that there is still a chance to save them a chance to help this cause and let them forget there horrible past and move on into the light… to a brighter future. In parts of the gun that the child is holding there are some small gold balls. These little balls show how the gun is more important that the human child itself.

What kind of feeling you wish the viewers will get from your work?

I am playing with the outlines of the image and making the viewers search for what it is and realizes that the holes let light through and shows clearly what the image is about. In this case the viewer is forced to imagine who the face or how old this child is. Giving the viewers space to have a free imagination.

If you could give your Jewelry to an important figure in the Middle East who will he/she be? and why?

Please find enclosed the program of the Schmuck 2011during the International Trade Fair in Munich.

This special exhibition is the eldest exhibition of contemporary jewellery work in the world. It takes place since 1959 every year during the International Trade Fair in March. Except the transport cost until Munich the participation in the special show is free of charge for you. Three contributions of Schmuck 2011 will be awarded with the Herbert Hofmann Prize. The prize commemorates Dr. Her-bert Hofmann, the founder of the special show in 1959. In addition the jury of the Bavarian States Prize will look at the works in the special show. The Bavarian States Prize is awarded to 10 contri-bution of applied art within all contribution of the International Trade Fair. This prize is awarded with 5.000 €

The selection of the 62 exhibits to feature in the special show SCHMUCK 2011 was made by Dr Rüdiger Joppien (Head of the Department of Art Nouveau and Modernism at the Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe in Hamburg), a recognised expert in the applied arts. In total over 650 designers had submitted applications to be granted a space to exhibit within SCHMUCK 2011. Featured in the exhibition are the works of a number of designers of international renown – names like Kimiaki Kageyama (Japan), Ted Noten (Netherlands), Lisa Walker (New Zealand), Ike Jünger (Germany) and Peter Bauhuis (Germany). For the first time this year the exhibition will also include work from China, Mexico and Turkey.

Klassiker der Moderne 2011 : Manfred Bischoff
In 2011, as in every year, there will be a retrospective of the works of one of the ‘classics of the Modern’. SCHMUCK 2011 will present the key works of Manfred Bischoff, a German goldsmith living in Italy who is regarded around the world as one of today´s leading contemporary jewellery designers. At the Internationale Handwerksmesse one of the many prizes he has received is the Bavarian State Prize (2005), an award which enjoys the very highest regard in the field of arts and crafts.

SCHMUCK the special show culminates in the presentation of the Herbert Hofmann Prize on 19 March 2011. In addition SCHMUCK 2011 is accompanied by a whole host of other events taking place in galleries, museums and arts institutes in Munich.

After the Internationale Handwerksmesse SCHMUCK goes on tour, this time, for the first time, also to France.
The French town which was given this honour is Cagnes-sur-Mer (Espace Solidor)in Provence. In recent years this small town has developed a reputation as a meeting place for statement jewellery designers. SCHMUCK first started to travel around the world in 2006, and has been seen in Australia (RMIT Gallery, Melbourne), Great Britain (Birmingham City University), Poland (National Art Gallery, Lódz), Italy (Oratorio di San Rocco, Padua) and the US (Museum of Arts and Design, New York).

« In the mid 1960s Wendy Ramshaw and David Watkins ran a small firm called Optik Art Jewellery. They designed acrylic fashion jewellery inspired by Pop art paintings of the period. Later in 1967 they designed and sold paper jewellery all over the world. This was prior to a new revolution in jewelry design which was looming, throughout the 70s with non-precious materials and artistic ideas replacing material values. Ramshaw and Watkins were among the protagonists of the London scene. Ramshaw started out as an illustrator and textile designer. She has received numerous prestigious awards for her works, which include the Millennium Medal for Queen Elizabeth II. Her husband David Watkins was a jazz pianist, now a sculptor, and jewelry artist. Through his unconventional techniques and methods of working with materials he creates a unique style all of his own; from 1984 until 2006 he was Professor of Metalwork and Jewelry at the Royal College of Art in London. »
SUN 20.03., 11.00, Pinakothek der Moderne, Ernst von Siemens Auditorium, Admission free Lecture in English »

Apart from SCHMUCK, other special displays of arts and craft are hosted at «Handwerk & Design»: TALENTE, a show of the work of promising young designers; EXEMPLA, subtitled this year ‘Workshops of the Future’; and MEISTER DER MODERNE, featuring a selection of the work of famous international masters of arts and crafts and applied arts. Visitors who want to find out more about contemporary craft and design have the opportunity of taking part in a guided tour of «Handwerk & Design». These tours, which are free of charge, start each day at 13:30 (meeting point: stage in Hall A1, no registration needed).

« There are right moments in time, right places.Moments when circumstances create a perfect setting for the interchange, sharing, and creating.Where differences become points of growth.
Where growth is supported. Where the collective and individual walk in hand.
Emerging from these circumstances NOI 99 approaches/ 9 countries/ 9 jewellers
one group »

« This piece is about child soldiers and is called “Forgotten”. A subject that sadly still exists in 3rd world countries that are in war whether in Africa, the Middle East or Asia. The average child soldier is under the age of 18 and is forced and manipulated in doing and committing horrors that they are not aware off due to the use of drugs or brainwashing. The child is just an instrument, just a number; just a slave to the gun…the gun is the symbol of power. » (Malaika Najem)

« The sixth edition of the exhibition ArtOrnamento will present 10 ex-students from the school Alchimia in Florence, one of the best contemporary jewellery schools on an international level. Alchimia represents excellence in innovation in the sector, but is at the same time a place for the conservation and study of ancient goldsmith techniques. The 10 participants in this year’s exhibition have gained their formation experience through the qualified supervision of the most renowned artists worldwide. The selected pieces will investigate the close relationship between body and object, by means of a new interpretation of the concept of personal adornment. The exhibition aims to create a contact between the public and the makers, so as to investigate the result of their research. This is a first important appointment that intends to offer a view on the new frontiers that contemporary jewellery creation is facing. This yearAlternatives has initiated a competition that involves the acquisition of a piece of jewellery that will go to form a new permanent collection dedicated to research jewellery. «

« To this artist, jewellery is a journey through material and form. It tells a story of its own, while following curiosity. The pieces are unique in their forms and combine fragments of the past with elements of the present.«

Catalina Brenes (Alchimia 2007-2010)brooch« This artist has an evident disposition to make pieces that grow into multiplying elements. She inherited this from her home culture, a country where the need for company and fraternity influences ones outlook on many aspects of life. The search for balance and tranquility is a constant. A quest to evoke timelessness.«

« In the pieces entitled ‘Cover and Discover’, this artist uses contradiction as expression in her works. Showing an element or covering it up, using the materials to express this and transforming them into works of art. »

Anastasia Kandaraki - Mokume School, Athens

« Continuous research, as a means of escaping. Searching for another type of language to express herself, searching a symmetry inside something asymmetric, searching for an internal balance.« Sayaka Ito(JP)(Alchimia 2008-2010)

« This artist is curious about what is inside things that we see. Visually, only the outside of objects can been seen, but often there is more than what the eye can visually see. This brings her to imagine what lies beyond. Similarly, this concept can also be applied to people. Our actions are supported by our body, but come from within.«

Selen Özus(TR)« It is evident when looking at the works of this artist that she lets emotion and spontaneity guide her work.«